Aaron's Dive Shop

OAHU DIVE SITES

Aaron’s Dive Shop dives predominantly in Maunalua Bay out of Hawaii Kai. This bay and the area surrounding it boasts a variety of different diving opportunities! From WWII wrecks, to reefs, caves and craters – no day is the same!

Sea life encountered varies as dramatically as the sites. The beauty of the ocean is no dive site is the same two days in a row. Local creatures you could encounter in the bay include everything from green sea turtles to Hawaiian monk seals (endangered) to whale sharks, humpback whales, white tip reef sharks,  humuhumunukunukuapua’a (Hawaiian state fish), puffer fish, moray eels and SO much more! 

Oahu Hawaii scuba dive sites in Maunalua Bay! Scuba dive Oahu's reefs, wrecks, caves, walls and more!

Aaron’s CANNOT guarantee any dive sites due to the nature of the ocean.

With weather & conditions changing quickly, we will do our best to get you the best, safest dive possible!

WRECKS

DAILY Certified Scuba diving tours Oahu's natural wreck - Corsair!

CORSAIR

One of Oahu’s only natural wrecks, the Corsair (a 33’ long, 41’ wingspan WWII airplane) had an emergency water landing in April 1945 due to engine failure.

2.17km from shore

Depth 100-110 ft

One of Oahu’s only natural wrecks is the US. Marine Corps F-4(U-1A) Corsair (33’ long, 41’ wingspan). In April 1945, 2nd Lt. William Holden took off from Molokai field on a short ferry flight to Ewa field. Twenty minutes into the flight, engine oil began spraying onto the windshield, followed by total engine failure. Lt. Holden safely performed a water landing, after which the aircraft slowly sank to the bottom. The plane is intact and rests on a large broad sand plain in 105-110’ of water. 

The site is surrounded by a large colony of Hawaiian Garden Eels and divers often encounter Giant Moray, Yellowtail Snappers, Hawaiian Squirrelfish, Snake Eel, Leaf Scorpionfish, Hawaiian Knifefish, Knobby Seastars, and Harlequin Shrimp.

Advanced Open Water (AOW)

Upside down LCU wreck

LCU

This wreck is often referred to as the ‘Upside-down LCU’ because it was purposely sunk as an artificial reef in the upside-down position, creating an interesting and unique Oahu diving experience. 

2.4km from shore

85-90 ft

The Landing Crafty Utility wreck (better known as the LCU) was a US Navy ship used for amphibious beach landings. This vessel is one of three LCU’s donated by the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard to be used as part of the State of Hawaii’s artificial reef program. It was scuttled in 90’ of water in 1998. It lies upside down (with room for divers to explore underneath) on a flat rubble plain with a large area of ‘Z’ blocks scattered around the site.

This site often houses Whitetip Reef Sharks, Tinker’s Butterflyfish, Blacklip Butterflyfish, Yellowmargin and White-Spotted Morays, Cushion Stars, Wire Corals, and numerous Soldierfishes.

Advanced Open Water (AOW)

Wreck diving

NEW BARGE

This 100ft artificial reef wreck has multiple entry points for wreck penetration and exploration. It also boasts a lot of big sea life sightings.

2.14km from shore

85-95 ft

New Barge was a utility barge of the US Navy. Donated to the State of Hawaii for the artificial reef program, it was scuttled in 1998. It rests upright and intact on a slight slope with the maximum depth of about 95’. This 100’ long barge has numerous internal baffles and multiple access holes to allow divers to penetrate into the wreck. North and south of the wreck are large boulder and ‘Z’ block piles. 

Divers often encounter schools of Giant Trevally as well as Bluefin Trevally, Alamaco Jacks, Spotted Queenfish, Milletseed Butterflyfish, Porcupinefish, Textile Cone Snails, Crown-of-Thorns Seastars, Unicornfish, and Green Turtles. Whitetip Reef Sharks and Spotted Eagle Rays are regularly spotted transiting through the area.

Advanced Open Water (AOW)

KAHALA BARGE

This 200ft wreck has multiple entry points for wreck penetration. 

2.25km from shore

90-95 ft

Originally known as the CB Barge, this 200′ vessel was damaged by a storm while on a job in Waianae (possible working on the sewer outfall extension). It was kept afloat with a large air bladder and towed into Honolulu Harbor. Following an inspection, it was deemed too costly to be repaired and donated to DAR. Scuttled in 1985, it rests in 95’ of water on a broad flat sand plain adjacent to a flat rubble plain. The wreck is mostly intact with numerous opportunities to penetrate. 

Divers regularly encounter Whitetip Reef Sharks, Giant Trevally, Yellowmargin Moray, Pyramid Butterflyfish, Longfin Bannerfish, Hawaiian Dascyllus, Indigo Dartfish, Wire Corals, and large, shrub-like Black Corals.

Advanced Open Water (AOW)

Longnose Hawkfish in Black Coral

BABY BARGE

This wreck is splayed open to display the inner-workings of the now retired barge without penetrating the wreck. You are very likely to run into a turtle or a more elusive sand-bar shark.

1.96km from shore

65-75 ft

The Keehi Barge, was one of the vessels that needed to be removed from Keehi Lagoon (thus its name) by the State of Hawaii- Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation. The history of Baby Barge is less understood than other wrecks in Manualua Bay. It may have been purchased from the Navy, or it may have been a derelict and abandoned vessel. Though it is the most recent wreck (scuttled in 1994), it is the least intact of the wreck sites. It rests in approximately 70’ of water on the edge of an historic river bank which drops off 6-10’. The wreck itself is splayed open to reveal the ribs and interior. The bottom surrounding the wreck is composed of flat rock sheets with sporadic corals and sponges. 

Green Turtles are frequently encountered here, as are Sandbar Sharks, Yellowstripe Goatfish, Trumpetfish, Yellowtail Filefish, Longnose Hawkfish, Longnose Butterflyfish, Blue Dragon Nudibranchs, and Slipper Lobster.

Advanced Open Water (AOW)

REEFS

ANGLERS REEF

This reef site is a 20ft ledge running in either direction from the mooring line. With the ledge boasting crevasses and ocean floor expanding in every direction, the possibilities for marine sightings of all kinds are high. 

35-45 ft

Angler’s is a linear ledge which runs east-west and drops off about 4-5’. The ocean side of the ledge is a flat pavement-like plain, the shore side is a sand flat interspersed with small rock outcrops. The top of the ledge has sporadic coral colonies and lots of urchins. 

Yellowmargin, Whitemouth, and Stout Morays are common as are several varieties of Soldierfish and Squirrelfish. The reef is named for the many Anglerfish that can be found here (both Commerson’s and Painted). In addition, Hawaiian Dascyllus, Porcupinefish, Saddle wrasse, Milletseed and Fourspot Butterflyfish, Therese’s Sole, Tiger, Isabella’s and Honey cowries, Horned Helmet snails, and Heart Urchins, Bullethead parrotfish, Black Durgeons, Cushion star, and Day octopus are common. Visibility is highly variable at this site.

KOKO CRATERS

Known for it’s turtles, turtles and more turtles. This reef site is an active turtle cleaning station and is typically full of turtle sightings between Buddha statues.

30-40 ft

Koko Craters is a broad flat plain with a series of depressions sunk into the bottom. The edges of these craters are undercut and provide excellent places for Green turtles to sleep. 

This site is an active turtle cleaning station and divers are often rewarded with close encounters with turtles hovering in midwater getting cleaned by reef fish. There is very little coral at this site, but other aquatic life commonly encountered are Potter’s angelfish, big schools of Yellowfin Surgeonfish, schools of Porcupinefish, Titan and Devil Scorpionfish, Orangeband Surgeonfish, Peacock flounder, Blackbar razorfish, Rainbow Runners, Hawaiian Sargent guarding their purple egg masses that encrust the bottom, Saddle wrasse, Snowflake Moray, Pinktail Triggerfish, Leopard Cone snails, and lobster. On rare occasions, divers have been lucky enough to see Tiger sharks and Hawaiian Monk Seals. Don’t forget to look for several Buddha statues too. Visibility is highly variable at this site.

GRUMPY'S REEF

This reef is low-lying offering a chance for fly-by visitors like spotted-eagle rays.

30-40 ft

Koko Craters is a broad flat plain with a series of depressions sunk into the bottom. The edges of these craters are undercut and provide excellent places for Green turtles to sleep. 

This site is an active turtle cleaning station and divers are often rewarded with close encounters with turtles hovering in midwater getting cleaned by reef fish. There is very little coral at this site, but other aquatic life commonly encountered are Potter’s angelfish, big schools of Yellowfin Surgeonfish, schools of Porcupinefish, Titan and Devil Scorpionfish, Orangeband Surgeonfish, Peacock flounder, Blackbar razorfish, Rainbow Runners, Hawaiian Sargent guarding their purple egg masses that encrust the bottom, Saddle wrasse, Snowflake Moray, Pinktail Triggerfish, Leopard Cone snails, and lobster. On rare occasions, divers have been lucky enough to see Tiger sharks and Hawaiian Monk Seals. Don’t forget to look for several Buddha statues too. Visibility is highly variable at this site.

Fantasy Reef diving

FANTASY REEF

Overhangs, ledges and swim-throughs – what a fantasy! The sharks agree. 

35-50 ft

The site is a series of sculpted rock outcrops and ridges set upon a broad rubble plain. There are numerous overhangs, ledges, and swim-throughs large enough for divers. Coral cover is relatively high. 

Large schools of Humpnose bigeye bream, as well as Yellow Tangs, Potter’s Angelfish, Devil Scorpionfish, Slate Pencil and Collector urchins, Sandbar sharks, Whitetip Reef sharks, Redbarred Hawkfish, Great Barracuda.

HAWAII LOA

This site varies dramatically from dense coral coverage to spotted coral outcroppings. The dense coral makes this a great night dive.

20-35 ft

Hawaii Loa is an extension of the ridge by the same name found onshore. The main site is a shallow crater which rings a small sand flat. This site has variable coral coverage, from relatively sparse to exceptionally dense. As a shallower site there is plenty of time to swim around and explore the reef. 

Divers regularly find Brown, Blueline, Goldring, and Orangeband Surgeonfish. Hawaiian Sergeant, Whitemouth Moray, Yellowhead Moray, Speckled scorpionfish, Commerson’s anglerfish, Wedgetail and Picasso Triggerfish (both famously known locally as Humuhumu-nukunuku-a-pua’a- or just HumaHuma), Partridge Tun snails, and Black Durgeons. The exceptionally rare and Endangered Hawksbill turtles have been seen on occasion at this site as are Spotted Eagle Rays. This site has very variable visibility.

TRY SCUBA DIVING AND DIVE WITH TURTLES! PADI DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING in HAWAII with Aaron's Dive Shop!

TURTLE CANYON

Like it’s name claims, this site is a great spot to catch turtles cruising by.

20-35 ft

While there are no canyons, there are small ridges and valleys throughout this dive site. Coral cover is variable with some areas of dead reef and bare rock to places with dramatic corals competing to outgrow one another. There is a large sand flat on the south side of the site with small rock outcrops near the main reef. 

Spotted boxfish, Potter’s and Flame angelfish, Saddle wrasse, Partridge Tun snails, Slipper Lobster, Zebra Morays, Horned Helmet Snails, Heart urchins, Collector urchins, and numerous butterflyfish are all common. With its proximity to Koko Craters, this site regularly has Green turtles cruise by. This site has very variable visibility.

CORNER POCKET

This site is great for spying your smaller marine life within cracks and crevices. Also a good spot for octopus. 

50-55 ft

Corner Pocket is a flat rubble plain with several rock outcrops covered in moderate coral coverage. 

Fisher’s star, Sea Biscuits, and Heart urchins are common in the rubble plain, while in and on the rocks are Blue-black and Slate Pencil urchins, Sleepy Sponge crabs, and Blue Dragon Nudibranchs. Inside the branches of the corals are Guard Crabs, several types of Scorpionfish, Coral Crouchers, and shrimps. Large schools of Bluestripe snappers and Longfin Bannerfish are always present, as are Milletseed Butterflyfish, Longnose butterflyfish, Titan scorpionfish, Bridled triggerfish, Hawaiian fantail filefish, Arc-eye Hawkfish, Hawaiian Squirrelfish, Sergeant Majors, Midget Chromis, Belted wrasse, and Palenose parrotfish. This site, which usually has exceptional visibility, can have strong tidal currents.

Oahu Drift Diving

KEANU REEF

This drift reef dive is not JUST fun for it’s name!

65-75 ft

Keanu’s Reef is a broad plain of flat rock sheets dispersed among a rubble and sand bottom. There are small coral heads mixed throughout the site. A large steel anchor usually defines the starting point of this drift dive. There is no mooring buoy and it is a deep dive with nearly constant depth making this an advanced dive. 

Whitemouth and Yellowmargin Moray, schools of porcupinefish, Squirrelfish, Soldierfish, Cardinalfish, and Chocolate Dip Chromis are all common. Less commonly encountered are Longtail dragonet, Bicolor Anthias, Yellow-green goby, Varicose Nudibranch, Knobby seastars, Crown-of-thorns stars, and transient schools of Mackerel Scad.

Advanced Open Water (AOW)

Oahu Sea Cave

SEA CAVE

Conditions need to be JUST right for this epic cave dive.

45-85+ ft

The Sea Cave is a natural cavern formed on the edge of a seaside cliff. The entrance to the cave is about 55’ underwater and slopes up to around 25’. The roof of the cave is open midway into the cave offering plenty of light, but dive lights are certainly helpful. Inside the cave, divers can usually find Green turtles, Whitetip Reef sharks, Linkia stars, Hairy Yellow Hermit crabs, Fine-needled urchins, at least eight species of nudibranchs, Moorish Idols, Cardinalfish, Bigeyes, and Soldierfish. Outside the cave the cliffs continue down to about 95’ and are covered in dense coral growth. This is an advanced dive due to the depths, currents, waves, and overhead environment. This site has a mooring outside the cave, but is more often planned as a drift dive. This site generally has excellent visibility.

Since this is often a high current area, visibility is usually excellent and schools of Pyramid, Milletseed, Thompson’s, and Raccoon butterflyfish, Longfin Bannerfish and Oval Chromis are commonly seen feeding on plankton in midwater. Red Velvet and Purple Velvet stars, Rough-spined and Slate Pencil urchins, Green Turtles, Flagtail Tilefish, and Whitemouth Morays. 

Advanced Open Water (AOW)

Dive site Spitting Cave

SPITTING CAVE

This drift dive features a steep cliff wall and lots of life.

45-85 ft

A steep, vertical rock wall running the length of the dive site characterizes this site. It has high coral cover and high fish abundance. 

This is an advanced dive due to the depths, currents, and waves. This site has a no mooring and is always planned as a drift dive. This site generally has excellent visibility owing to the strong currents.

Pyramid Butterflyfish, Longfin Bannerfish, and Oval Chromis school in large numbers here. Rough-spined and Slate Pencil urchins are common.

Advanced Open Water (AOW)

CHINA WALL

This iconic sunset spot is also a dive site full of varying terrain. 

25-55 ft

A continuation of the same rock face that dominates Sea Cave and Spitting Cave, this site has less coral and fish. The bottom slopes to a broad sand and rubble plain. Visibility is variable and surge can be significant. Due to the depth, currents, surge, and lack of a mooring ball, this is considered an advanced dive site.

Double-spotted Queenfish, Multiband Butterflyfish, Yellowfin Surgeonfish, Whitesaddle goatfish, Redspotted Sandperch, Rainbow Runners, and Mackeral Scad can all be found here.

Advanced Open Water (AOW)

CHARTER DIVE SITES

THESE DIVE SITES ARE OUTSIDE OF MAUNALUA BAY AND ARE NOT A PART OF OUR DAILY DIVES.

CHECK WITH THE SHOP FOR DATES & AVAILABILITY TO DIVE THESE WRECKS & REEFS.

SEATIGER

This wreck dive is deep and HUGE! A favorite of many Oahu divers.

120 ft

The Sea Tiger has a complicated past. Built in the 1980s as the Fong Seong No. 303, this 189’ Taiwanese fishing trawler was confiscated in 1992 after trying to smuggle 90+ Chinese immigrants into Honolulu. It was sold by the Dept. of Justice to a conservation group, who quickly resold it to a Vietnamese fisherman, who renamed it the Sea Tiger. He was repeatedly fined for allowing the vessel to pollute in the harbor (Pier 40). Eventually it was sold at auction to the now defunct Voyager Submarine Co. in 1994. It was cleaned and prepped as an artificial reef, and sunk in 1999. The wreck is intact and sits upright on the bottom.

With proper training and equipment the wreck can be fully penetrated and explored and is 150-feet of incredible sights. Divers can penetrate the Sea Tiger through the cargo holds and bridge. Despite some minor decay inside the ship, the wreck is remarkably intact making it a unique dive for wreck enthusiasts.

The wreck is home to schools of Longfin bannerfish, Pyramid Butterflyfish, and Moray eels. Sponge crabs, Slipper lobster, seastars, and many coral species occupy the wreck. Eagle Rays, Green turtles, Reef sharks, and numerous other fish are common sights.

Advanced Open Water (AOW)

NAVY TUG

This West side wreck dive site is known for big and small sea life!

65 ft

The USS Nashua (YTB-774) was, and is, a US Navy ship. Built in 1965 by Marinette Marine, this 106’ ship (29’ beam) was one of the Natick class Large District Harbor Tugs. Using its 2,000 HP engine, the Nashua would tow and push other naval ships (possibly even the YO-257) at the Subic Bay Naval Station, Philippines. Secondarily, it served as waterfront fire response and as a harbor patrol craft. Following the closure of the base in 1992, the Nashua was transferred to Pearl Harbor and then retired from service in 1994. It was intentionally sunk in 2012 as a training site for Navy’s Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One, stationed at Pearl Harbor. The Nashua currently lists to starboard but can and will be repositioned by the Navy for training purposes. 

It is covered extensively with coral growth and supports huge school(s) of Blueline snappers. Yellow Tangs, Trumpetfish, Brown surgeonfish, Cushion stars, and Slipper lobsters are other common sightings.

Advanced Open Water (AOW)

YO 257 Wreck, Oahu Hawaii

YO-257

Located alongside the San Pedro, if conditions are right you can sometimes dive two wrecks on the same dive!

80-105 ft

The YO-257 was built for the US Navy and was originally designated YOG-72. She is a 174’ long, self-propelled gas barge (yard oiler) built in 1945 by the Puget Sound Naval Yard. Built to refuel other ships at sea, the YO-257 could carry 200,000 gallons of fuel. After WWII, the YO-257 worked in the Pacific carrying asphalt to remote atolls for runway construction and was briefly loaned out to the US Coast Guard. The YO-257 was sold to the Atlantis Submarine Co. and intentionally sunk at its current location in 1989. 

Large schools of Blueline snappers now live on the wreck, as do schools of a variety of butterflyfish (including Lined, Pyramid, and Raccoon) and unicornfish (including Sleek, White-margin, Orangespine, and Bluespine). Squadrons of Spotted Eagle Rays are commonly seen transiting the area between YO-257 and the San Pedro wreck site.

Advanced Open Water (AOW)

New Barge Oahu Hawaii wreck diving

SAN PEDRO

Located alongside the YO-257, if conditions are right you can sometimes dive two wrecks on the same dive!

80 ft

Built in Japan around 1946, the 111’ long San Pedro was a Korean owned long-line fishing vessel which operated off the Big Island, mostly targeting Swordfish and Tuna. In 1975, while carrying bait, food, and other cargo to an offshore fishing fleet, it caught fire off South Point. Badly damaged, it was towed to Keehi Lagoon. It sat derelict for years before being intentionally sunk next to the wreck of the YO-257 by the Atlantis Submarine Co. in 1996 to add more sights for their underwater tour.  The San Pedro sits in around 80’ of water with the deck around 60’. 

With proper training and equipment the wreck can be fully penetrated and explored and is 150-feet of incredible sights. Divers can penetrate the Sea Tiger through the cargo holds and bridge. Despite some minor decay inside the ship, the wreck is remarkably intact making it a unique dive for wreck enthusiasts.

Outside the wreck large schools of Blueline snappers and Butterflyfish are common, while looking inside expect to encounter Soldierfish, Squirrelfish, and Cardinalfish.

Advanced Open Water (AOW)

NAUTILUS REEF

Many overhangs, ledges and crevices keep this dive interesting!

35-45 ft

Nautilus Reef sits just off Point Panic, a popular shore dive site off downtown Honolulu. This patch reef is interspersed with, and surrounded by, sand flats and rubble. The reef has moderate coral cover and plenty of overhangs, ledges, and crevices for a wide variety of marine life. 

Green turtles are often seen here, as are Yellow Tangs, Longnose Butterflyfish, Brown Surgeonfish, Yellowfin Goatfish, and Octopus. 

EWA PINNACLES

One of Oahu’s only deep, dive-able reef sites!

100 ft

One of Oahu’s only deep-diveable reef systems, the Pinnacles are a grouping of natural rock formations which rise up 20-30’ above the bottom. These pinnacles have lots of overhangs, ledges, sheer walls, and other structure which creates a variety of microhabitats, and with very high coral cover on their tops, this site supports an abundance of aquatic life. 

Huge schools of Blacklip butterflyfish and Hawaiian Dascyllus feeding high off the reef are often the first thing people notice. Upon a closer look you can find rare endemic species like Hawaiian Lionfish and Bandit Angelfish in the reef. Octopus, Slipper lobsters, and Knobby seastars are commonly seen, as are several shark species and Spotted Eagle rays. If you are lucky, even Hawaiian Monk Seals have been seen at the site. As you ascend for your safety stop, pay attention to the plankton in the water column as you can regularly see Comb jellies, Salps, and other drifting sealife.

Advanced Open Water (AOW)

Dive Site Kewalo Pipe

KEWALO PIPE

Depth varies along this artificial reef, perfect for new divers!

30-65ft

This site is named for the old, and now decommissioned, 48” storm-water discharge pipe that runs perpendicular to the shore for a distance of about 400 yds. The steel pipe itself rests upon sand and acts as an artificial reef.  The depth varies depending on the distance from shore and small patches of rock and coral can be observed on either side of the pipe. 

Its moderate coral growth has started to attract more marine life. Butterflyfish, Wrasses, Surgeonfish, and Morays are all frequently encountered here.

HORSESHOE REEF

Fantastic coral cover is what this site is known for! Where there is great coral cover, there is lots of sea life. 

35-45 ft

With nearly 100% coral coverage over most of the area, and higher coral diversity than most places on Oahu, Horseshoe Reef is a spectacularly beautiful site. That it sites right off downtown Honolulu makes it all that much more amazing. To those with a good imagination, the reef is shaped roughly like a horseshoe and depths range from 35-55’. With all this high quality habitat you can find lots of organisms that make their homes in corals.

The corals are home to dozens of shrimp and crab species. Coral Crouchers, Dragon Morays, Yellowhead Morays, Leaf Scorpionfish, and Anglerfish are common too.